E-News November 2020 - U3A Brisbane
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e-News
November
2020
Editor’s Notes
from Jean Smith
I have just spent a few days at Caloundra where I didn’t do much except
walk, read and admire the view – especially Shelly Beach. This would
have to be one of my favourite places and has been since I first saw it
nearly 50 years ago. I love it when the tide is coming in and the waves
are crashing on the rocks. I love it when the tide is out and all sorts of
interesting things can be found in the rock pools. And I especially love it
when I can wander along quietly, letting my mind drift off anywhere and
everywhere.
This has been a challenging year, with changes around every corner, and
we all cope with it in different ways. For me, seeing and hearing again
the timelessness of the ocean has been the perfect pick-me-up. I just
need U3A to restart face-to-face classes and I’ll be content! Fingers
crossed.
U3A Brisbane E-News November 2020
1
President’s Message
from Des Taylor
We are finally reaching the end of 2020 and looking towards 2021. Queensland has been very fortunate
and we have managed to restrict COVID-19 cases as much as possible but we should be aware that as we
relax our borders and particularly if we eventually allow visitors from overseas where the situation is
dire then the risk will remain and our demographic remains vulnerable.
The latest government rules refer to the New Normal. This may be our future given that a vaccine may
not be available for some time and even when available its effectiveness will be uncertain until proven
over time.
U3A Brisbane is opening again in the city in 2021.
Initially we will open the Creek St premises. After we have ironed out any issues relating to Government
rules and our COVID Safe plan we will consider opening Adelaide St if the number of members and
Tutors warrant this. We are aware that many are still not prepared to use public transport or lifts and
would prefer to remain online. This option will remain available. We will keep you informed as we fine
tune the best way to reopen while keeping you as safe as possible.
However, at this stage the government has not relaxed the COVID Safe rules for indoor venues.
Therefore. at this time we are constrained by the rules as stated previously (4sq.m. per person). The
numbers that can be accommodated at Creek St. within these rules are :
This means that the largest class we can accommodate in Creek Street is 9 students (Room 5/6).
This may change before Term 1 next year and we will inform our members if this occurs.
We will continue to offer Online classes. Zoom will remain with us. There are currently 130 Zoom classes
available. The districts will still maintain and perhaps increase the number of face-to-face classes
running under our COVID Safe Plans and using our QR code to register attendance. There are currently
18 face-to-face classes running in the districts.
U3A Brisbane E-News November 2020
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Please remember Membership fees paid after 1st September cover you through to the end of 2021.
Membership fees are still $40. Please renew as soon as possible to help us plan our future direction.
Decisions made by the Management Committee are based on the number of members as well as the
number of members enrolled in classes.
Thank you for your continued financial support. It allows us to continue and to maintain our city premises
at least in the short term. Remember that class fees, donations and Membership fees can be paid online.
We will sending out more detailed information regarding our financial position in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions or comments, please send to: feedback@u3abrisbane.org.au
The future, especially in Queensland is looking brighter. We can adjust to the new normal and continue
to enjoy our lives and our friends. Stay safe.
Special Online Events
from Marilyn Wagland
Tuesday 17 November at 10.00 am. The Building of Brisbane Airport's Second Runway, by Jessica
Shannon (Brisbane Airport Corporation).
Jessica will provide an extraordinary insight into one of Queensland’s largest infrastructure projects of all
time — all the facts and figures on the building of the second runway. We will hear about the
reclamation of land, the amount of soil moved and replaced, the science drawn upon by specialist
workers to make critical decisions, timeframes and even the planning of new flight paths. It should be an
interesting session, even if we aren’t able to make full use of it yet!
11-22 January 2021. Girton College Cambridge Summer School
You may recall that I attended the Girton College Cambridge Summer School in August 2018. A truly
marvellous experience. Given that such courses can’t be currently offered, Girton is presenting an online
Summer School from 11 - 22 January 2021. It will be one course offered over two weeks: The Lives of
Winston Churchill: from Victorian Britain to End of Empire, taught by Dr Eoin Devlin. This is independent
of U3A and you will need to enrol directly with them. All details can be found on their website:
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/lifelong-learning-online
Technology Award to U3A’s Greg Taylor
from Des Taylor, President
Our ICT Coordinator, Greg Taylor, has been recognised for his excellent IT work at U3A Brisbane. He has
received the Technology Volunteer of the Year award in the Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards
announced in Adelaide on 6th November. Greg has spent the last 8 years developing and enhancing an
online management system which forms the backbone of our operations. He has been especially
appreciated this year as U3A Brisbane moved to online classes following the closure of our city venues,
supporting tutors and members in the move to learning online. We are lucky to have him and we
congratulate him on this award.
U3A Brisbane E-News November 2020
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Remembering Anita Reed
from Marilyn Wagland
VALE ANITA REED 1937 - 2020
Anita had been a long-time member of U3A and more recently a tutor in Peace Studies. But Anita was so
much more than that. As was usual for her time, Anita completed Year 10, got a job, married, had to give
up her job and stayed home to raise her 3 young children. During this time, she enrolled in Distance
Education to complete her education. She then enrolled at Teachers College, graduated and went on to
complete a BA at the University of Queensland.
Anita had passion and talent. With a love for the written word, she joined the North Pine River Bush
Poets and for 28 years travelled widely to shows throughout the country for competition and pleasure.
She leaves behind a published book of her verse. Ten years ago, she joined a group called Just Peace and
became quite the activist to promote world peace. I mostly knew Anita through the Queensland Irish
Choir where she was a long-term, keen soprano. Without any formal musical training, she wrote the
music and lyrics for two songs which have been performed by choirs. She has left an unfinished song.
As you can see, this was not just a life, but a life well lived. Anita had a stroke in the middle of October
and died 15 hours later. She had just given her U3A Peace Studies session on Zoom when she fell ill. Busy
to the end, she has left a legacy not just for her family but maybe for a much broader audience. Well
done, Anita. It was a privilege to know you.
Remembering Joe Kelly
from Robin Stock
Long-time U3A Latin students will be saddened to hear that their esteemed tutor, Joe Kelly, died on
Monday 5 October.
Joe studied Latin at Downlands in the early 1950s and at the University of Queensland where he also
studied Ancient Greek and German, graduating BA, DipEd in 1960. He taught at Mount Isa High School,
then State High Brisbane. In 1966 he travelled with his wife to London and then Germany, where he
taught English. On their return in 1968, he again taught at State High for a short time before joining the
Commonwealth Department of Education where he worked until his retirement in 1993 due to ill health.
He was successfully treated for Non Hodgkin Lymphoma and continued studying Latin and Ancient Greek.
In recent years, I have been fortunate to count him as a friend while he lived at The Village at Coorparoo.
Consultation Opportunity: Centre-Based-Respite
from Mary Denver
The Queensland Council on the Aging (COTA Queensland) is seeking input as to what a respite centre
serving the large community covered by the Brisbane North Primary Health Network (in particular the
North Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions) could offer.
Many of us may need some form of care as we age, or will be carers. This is an opportunity to become
involved in planning a service which would benefit all. If you are interested in following this up, click on this
link: www.cotaqld.org.au/program-and-services/current-programs/centre-based-respite/
U3A Brisbane E-News November 2020
4U3A Portraiture class members keep learning, connected and drawing!
from Carol Owens and Anne Visona
This month’s contribution from the U3A portraiture class is from Anne Visona.
Laughing Girl, by Anne Visona
Anne writes: ‘I’ve always been a
‘drawer’ (I hesitate to call myself
an ‘artist’, but ‘drawer’ sounds
strange, doesn’t it). I've picked up
bits and pieces of knowledge and
technique from books and
observations but have always
wanted to be able to draw a good
likeness. According to my family,
my portraiture is poor - I always
make them look too old, too
wrinkled, too ugly or too grumpy.
I like the Laughing Girl because
she looks so joyful and it was a
challenge to get the angles right.
You can see right into her mouth,
even her back teeth and it was a
bit of a struggle to get that
without making her look all teeth
– at least I hope I did.
Carol is an excellent tutor. She
plans the classes meticulously, yet
leaves room for creativity. I
consider myself lucky to be a
member of this class, not only for
the knowledge I have gained but
also because of the friendships we
have formed.’
U3A Brisbane E-News November 2020
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